System and method for device customization and interface deployment in multifunction peripherals

ABSTRACT

A system and method for customized multifunction peripherals provides for editing device functions, user interface functions and user interface appearance. A user selects a business type which generates an initial set of device characteristics or user interface layout which includes fixed characteristics and characteristics editable by a user. Available device customizations comprise those compatible with a firmware version of the multifunction peripheral. Fixed characteristics and editable characteristic are automatically registered for operation of the multifunction peripheral.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/455,348 filed Mar. 10, 2017 which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/334,634, filed May 11, 2016, both ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to customization of multifunctionperipherals. The application relates more particularly to a system andmethod for safe and easy assisted customization of multifunctionperipherals for specific business or user needs.

BACKGROUND

Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners ande-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of thesefunctions are found in office environments. These devices are referredto as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs).As used herein, MFP means any of the forgoing.

MFPs are typically provided with a fixed set of functions that areavailable to device end users. In addition to printing, copying,scanning and e-mailing, the device may add further options. Copying orprinting may involve hole punching or stapling. Printing may be in blackand white, or in color. Scanning may be to an image file or to atext-inclusive file via optical character recognition. These, and otheroptions, are typically selectable by device users via a user interface,such as a touchscreen display integrated into an MFP.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an example embodiment of the subject application, asystem and method for customized multifunction peripherals includes aprocessor, and memory storing a plurality of identified electroniccustomization groups. Each customization group includes a plurality ofelectronic files, and each customization group corresponds to a uniquebusiness type. Device customization data sets, each data setcorresponding to document processing in the multifunction peripheralcorresponding to its firmware version, are also stored. A print engineand a scanner engine are each controllable by at least one of the datasets. Indicia identifying each of the plurality of customization groupsby business type are generated on a user interface display. Userselection data corresponding to a selected identified customizationgroup selected from the indicia is received via a user input. Acustomizations menu listing available customizations from the selectedidentified customization group corresponding with a firmware version ofthe multifunction peripheral is generated on the display. A documentprocessing options menu including document processing optionscorresponding to a portion of the device customization data setsassociated with the selected identified customization group is generatedon the display. The customizations menu is user editable. Acustomization interface in accordance with an edited customization menuis registered, and operation of the multifunction peripheral with aregistered customization interface is enabled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to thefollowing description, appended claims and accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 an example embodiment of an MFP network;

FIG. 2 is an example embodiment of a document rendering system;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example embodiment for providing a businesscustomizable MFP;

FIG. 4 is a screenshot of an example embodiment for administrativecustomization of applications;

FIG. 5 is a screenshot of an example embodiment for administrativecustomization of applications;

FIG. 6 is a screenshot of an example embodiment for administrativecustomization;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an example embodiment of MFP customizationrelative to available forms; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example embodiment of a customization anddeployment system for customized user interfaces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by wayof examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciatedthat modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements,configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods,systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specificapplication. In this disclosure, any identification of specifictechniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific examplepresented or are merely a general description of such a technique,arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples arenot intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory orlimiting unless specifically designated as such.

MFPs are increasingly powerful and capable devices. With such increasescomes increasing complexity of device-user interaction. There may be asubstantial number of menus generated on the MFP display which may behierarchical with many possible layers. Users must learn to navigatethese menus and controls. A typical MFP user interface design will havemost frequently used functions at a top, or high level menu. Lesspopular device functions can be difficult to find, as well as timeconsuming to locate. Some users are required to navigate complex menustructures to access less popular functions that they use frequently.

Certain businesses may have particular and frequent need for certain MFPfunctions which are not needed by other businesses. In these situations,device users may be frequently required to spend considerable time at anMFP user interface to complete their document processing tasks. Inbusinesses with devices that differ from one another, there may bedifferent steps that need to be taken with one device than thoserequired to taken to complete the same job on another device availableto them.

In addition to the forgoing, various businesses often have a set offorms that they use regularly. By way of example, an auto dealership mayhave forms for vehicle sale, vehicle lease, vehicle rental or vehiclepurchase. They may also have forms for credit applications, licenseplate orders, insurance information, etc. An auto salesperson may havetheir own forms folder and grab a master of a needed form forphotocopying for a customer. This requires additional steps for thesalesperson. It also provides room for error or inconsistencies sinceone salesperson may have a different or outdated version of a form intheir forms folder. Additionally, certain forms may need to be completedin duplicate, requiring two copies requiring the salesperson to recallthat or make a trip back to the MFP. In addition, certain customer datamay be sensitive, and even subject to privacy protection under the law,such as personal information that may appear in a credit application.

Other professions will have their own MFP device needs that are markedlydifferent than those of other businesses. The legal profession, forexample, may need forms for subpoenas, complaints, proof-of-service andinvoices. The medical profession may need forms for patient consent,writing of prescriptions, patient information questionnaires or patientinsurance information. The legal profession and the medical professionprovide examples of businesses that need to maintain very high levels ofconfidentiality. Failure to do so may comprise a lawyer'sattorney-client privilege. Failure to do so in the medical professionmay result in a violation of confidentiality requirements of the U.S.Federal Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA),leaving a potential for criminal or civil liability for breaches. Use ofimproper or outdated forms can result in losses in legal proceedings orpatient harm in medical situations. Of course, these can also result inmalpractice litigation.

Example embodiments herein provide a system and method for customizationof MFPs by end users or system administrators. Functions specific to aparticular business can customized to be more readily accessible on MFPinterfaces which may be on a user interface of a device itself,communicated by a networked device via a web interface, or built inwhole or in part within a driver, such as a printer driver, that iscalled on a user device. Certain functions may be made unavailable todevice users, such as color printing or color copying to avoid toner orink expenses. By way of further example, an administrator may alsoimplement mandatory device functions, such as by automaticallyencrypting all e-mails. The administrator may also provide for acustomized interface with the company color scheme and company logo. Theadministrator may also tailor menu hierarchy to have functions ofspecific or frequent needs placed in a more readily accessible location.As a further benefit, the MFP stores electronic documents, such as formsor templates, for uniform use by employees. In addition to the forgoing,the subject application includes example embodiments wherein a businessobtains an MFP device with pre-stored libraries of forms, controls,menus or the like, which are generically in use by other businesses ofthe same type.

By way of example, the MFP suitably arrives to a business pre-populatedwith settings, menus, or electronic documents specific to differentbusinesses. For example, there may be a default administrator setupchoice for “Legal Profession,” which includes legal forms, legaldocuments, brief templates and blank time slips. It may also includeaddress information for various courts or governmental agencies. Thus,all or some of the law firm's needs may be set up immediately. Theadministrator may then add or replace electronic documents, such as byuploading or scanning from paper. They may also add needed devicefunctions not appearing in the standard legal setup. They may also addor modify menu structures, as well as customize colors, fonts,resolution, etc. They may also import their firm logo so that it appearson the user interface. This is suitably done via a portable data device,such as USB drive, CD or DVD, via a network connection or by scanning apaper document bearing the logo. The administrator may also export andreplicate this interface on other MFP devices in use by the business.

In accordance with the subject application, FIG. 1 illustrates anexample embodiment of an MFP network 100 that includes one or more MFPs,illustrated by MFPs 110 and 114. Network 104 is suitably comprised of alocal area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN) which may comprisethe global Internet, or any suitable combination thereof. A systemadministrator or other user can access MFP control via any suitable userinterface, such as an integrated user interface 118 or remotely, such asvia workstation 122. While workstation 122 is illustrated as a wiredcomputer, it will be appreciated that any suitable data device,including smartphones, tables, notebook computers, or the like, withnetwork connections that are wireless or wired, may be used. Remotedevice interfacing is suitably done by accessing an MFP via a networkaddress, such as an internet protocol or IP address. Access may bedirectly through a web interface, and may include tools such asTOPACCESS from Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc.

MFP 110 is provided with data storage 126 for electronically storingdata corresponding to available device function applications, displaybackgrounds, color pallets, icons, business groupings, etc.

Additional applications that are available to control MFPs may also beadded. They may be physically transported to the MFP via a portable datadevice such as flash drive 130 or any other suitable data transfermechanism including Bluetooth, near field communication (NFC), optical,CD, DVD, wireless or wired network, etc. Applications may also bepurchased from an application store, such as App Store 134, suitably vianetwork cloud 104.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an example embodiment of adocument rendering system 200 suitably comprised within an MFP, such aswith MFPs 110 and 114 of FIG. 1. Included is controller 201 comprised ofone or more processors, such as that illustrated by processor 202. Eachprocessor is suitably associated with non-volatile memory such as ROM204, and random access memory (RAM) 206, via a data bus 212.

Processor 202 is also in data communication with a storage interface 208for reading or writing to a storage 216, suitably comprised of a harddisk, optical disk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any othersuitable data storage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill inthe art.

Processor 202 is also in data communication with a network interface 210which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC) 214,which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physicalnetwork connection 220, or to a wireless data connection via wirelessnetwork interface 218. Example wireless connections include cellular,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 226, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB),satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB,IEEE 1394 (FireWire), Apple Lightning, telephone line, or the like.

Processor 202 can also be in data communication with any suitable userinput/output (I/O) interface which provides data communication with userperipherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls, touchscreens, or the like. Hardware monitor 221 suitably provides deviceevent data, working in concert with suitably monitoring systems. By wayof further example, monitoring systems may include page counters, sensoroutput, such as consumable level sensors, temperature sensors, powerquality sensors, device error sensors, door open sensors, and the like.Data is suitably stored in one or more device logs, such as in storage216.

Also in data communication with data bus 212 is a document processorinterface 222 suitable for data communication with MFP functional units.In the illustrated example, these units include copy hardware 240, scanhardware 242, print hardware 244 and fax hardware 246 which togethercomprise MFP functional hardware 250. It will be understood thatfunctional units are suitably comprised of intelligent units, includingany suitable hardware or software platform.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart 300 of an example embodiment forproviding a business customizable MFP. The process commences at block304 and proceeds to block 308 wherein an administrator suitably logsinto the MFP, either on the MFP user interface or via a remote terminal.A customization menu is displayed to the administrator at block 312 anda list of available business categories displayed at block 316. Theadministrator's selection of an available category is received at block320. Next, a group of preset MFP functions, suitably comprised ofapplications that can be individually selected or selected in groups, isretrieved from storage at block 324 and displayed to the administratorat block 328. Functions may be retrieved that have been preselected tobe associated with a business category or type previously selected bythe administrator. If a change is to be made as determined at block 332,then the administrator's changes are made at block 336, saved to thedefault user interface at block 340, and a check is made at block 344 ifa customized logo is to be added for displaying on the MFP userinterface. If no changes to the function list are determined at block332, progress goes directly to the logo change check of block 344.

If the administrator chooses to add a logo at block 344, then logo datais imported into the MFP at block 348 by physical media, wirelessconnection, wired connection or via a network connection. Theadministrator positions the logo on a display screen or screens at block352 and the MFPs default user interface updated accordingly at block356. A check is then made at block 360 to determine whether a customizedbackground is to be used. Progress to block 360 is direct from block 344if no customized logo is to be used.

If a customized background is selected at block 360, then it is set atblock 364 using either already available options on the MFP or importedbackground data. The default user interface is updated accordingly atblock 368 and then a determination as to whether any changes to the MFPuser interface color or layout is made at block 376. Progress is madedirectly from block 360 to block 376 if no changes to the MFP userinterface background are selected.

If color or layout changes are selected in block 376, then themodifications are received at block 380 and the default user interfaceis stored accordingly at block 384. Next a check as to whetherapplication customization is to be made is completed at block 388. If nocolor or layout changes were determined at block 376, progress isdirectly to block 388 for the check for customized applications. Ifcustomized applications are to be made, this is accomplished at block392 and the process ends at block 396. If no application customizationis determined at block 388, the process ends thereafter at block 396.

Turning now to FIG. 4, illustrated is a screenshot 400 of an exampleembodiment for administrative customization of applications. In thisexample, the administrator can configure application settings, such asscan quality at 404, color mode at 408, output file type at 412, pagescanning at 416 and finishing at 420. The administrator may choosewhether a scan confirmation is to be sent at 424.

FIG. 5 illustrates a screenshot 500 of an example embodiment foradministrative customization of applications. In the illustratedexample, a list of available applications appears at 504, whichapplications can be installed/uninstalled or modified.

FIG. 6 illustrates a screenshot 600 of an example embodiment for furtheradministrative customization. The vertical application (or UICustomization) is designed to contain one or many installed apps.Additionally, the UI is configurable by the administrator. Possiblecustomizations include the following. Customizations suitably includeselects from a set of pre-stored background images or an uploadingbackground image at 602, add a tag line and select a font color at 604,select among the available (installed) applications and change theirorder or positions of appearance or add an application tag label at 608,or add a company logo at 612. The background image, company logo, andtagline are previewed in a window at 610.

Referring next to FIG. 7, illustrated is a flowchart 700 of an exampleembodiment for MFP customization relative to available forms. Theprocess starts at block 702 and proceeds to block 704 wherein a businesstype is selected from available options by an administrator. A formlibrary associated with a selected business type is retrieved at block708 and a listing of forms displayed at block 712. The administratorchooses whether to view a form at block 714. If so, the administratorselects a form for viewing at block 718 and display the selected form atblock 722. The administrator chooses whether to delete or edit the format block 724. If no form is selected for viewing at block 714, theprocess progresses directly to block 724.

If the administrator chooses to edit or delete a form at block 724,changes are received at block 728 and saved at block 732 and the processprogresses to block 736. If the administrator did not choose to edit ordelete a form at block 724, the process progresses directly to block736. If the administrator wishes to review the list again at block 736,the process returns to block 712. If not, the administrator chooseswhether a new form is desired at block 740. If no new form is needed,the process terminates at block 744. If so, a check is made at block 748as to whether the new form exists on the MFP, such as a form associatedwith another business library. If not, the new form is either uploadeddigitally or scanned on the MFP scanner at block 752. If the new form isavailable on the MFP, or if the new form has been uploaded or scanned,the new form is entered into the default library at block 756 and theprocess returns to block 740 to determine if any other new forms aredesired.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart 800 of an example embodiment of a customizationand deployment system for customized user interfaces. The processcommences at block 804 and a current user interface is backed up atblock 808. An MFP firmware version is determined at block 812, whichdetermination directs loading at block 814 of a correspondingcustomization application from storage 816. The retrieved customizationapplication is backed up in the event of an error condition during acustomization process at block 820. A subset of device functions aredeemed required and pre-registered at block 824. A customization iscompleted at block 828, suitably a customization operation such as thatdetailed below. Newly selected applications corresponding to selecteddevice functions or user interface options are registered automaticallyat block 830. Registration is checked for errors at block 834. If thereare no errors, a firmware version is checked at block 854 and verifiedat block 858. If the firmware version differs, the backed up userinterface from block 808 is restored at block 838 and registered atblock 842. An abort notice is generated at block 846 and the processends at block 850. If the version is unchanged, the user is verifiesthat a change should be made at block 860. If so, the process ends atblock 850. If an update is not confirmed, the user interface isde-registered at block 864 and the process moves to block 838 forrestoring and registering of the backed up interface.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit andscope of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A multifunction peripheral comprising: a computerincluding, a processor, and a memory configured to store a plurality ofidentified electronic customization groups, each customization groupincluding a plurality of electronic files, and wherein eachcustomization group corresponds to a unique business type, and store aplurality of device customization data sets, each data set correspondingto document processing in the multifunction peripheral corresponding toits firmware version; a print engine controllable by at least one of thedata sets; a scanner engine controllable by at least one of the datasets; a user input; and a display, wherein the processor is configuredto generate indicia on the display identifying each of the plurality ofcustomization groups by business type, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to receive user selection data received via the user inputcorresponding to a selected identified customization group selected fromthe indicia, wherein the processor is further configured to generate, onthe display, a customizations menu listing available customizations fromthe selected identified customization group corresponding with afirmware version of the multifunction peripheral, wherein the processoris further configured to generate, on the display, a document processingoptions menu including document processing options corresponding to aportion of the device customization data sets associated with theselected identified customization group, wherein the processor isfurther configured to edit the customizations menu in accordance withuser selection received via the user input, wherein the processor isfurther configured to register a customization interface in accordancewith an edited customization menu, and wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to enable operation of the multifunction peripheral with aregistered customization interface.
 2. The multifunction peripheral ofclaim 1 further wherein the processor is further configured to: testregistration of the customization interface, and restore a default userinterface when the test indicates an error condition.
 3. Themultifunction peripheral of claim 2 wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to edit the customizations menu to include an entryreferencing user-supplied customization data.
 4. The multifunctionperipheral of claim 3 wherein the processor is further configured toreceive the user-supplied customization data from the scanner engine. 5.The multifunction peripheral of claim 4 wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to de-register the customization interface.
 6. Themultifunction peripheral of claim 5 wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to generate a company personalization image on the display inaccordance with user selection received via the user input.
 7. Themultifunction peripheral of claim 6 wherein the company personalizationdata includes logo data corresponding to a business type associated withthe selected identified customization group.
 8. A method comprising:storing, in a memory, a plurality of identified electronic customizationgroups, each customization group including a plurality of electroniccustomization documents, and wherein each customization groupcorresponds to a unique business type; storing a plurality of devicecustomization data sets, each data set corresponding to control of adocument processing operation of a multifunction peripheralcorresponding to its firmware version; generating, via a processor,indicia on a display identifying each of the plurality of customizationgroups by business type; receiving user selection data corresponding toa selected identified customization group selected from the indicia;generating, on the display, a customizations menu listing availablecustomizations from the selected identified customization group;generating, on the display, a document processing options menu includingdocument processing options corresponding to a portion of the devicecustomization data construction sets associated with the selectedidentified customization group corresponding to a firmware version ofthe multifunction peripheral; editing the customizations menu inaccordance with user selection received via a user input; registering acustomization interface in accordance with an edited customizationsmenu; and enabling operation of the multifunction peripheral inaccordance with a registered customizations interface.
 9. The method ofclaim 8 further comprising: testing registration of the customizationinterface; and restoring a default user interface and restore a defaultinterface when testing indicates an error condition.
 10. The method ofclaim 9 further comprising editing the customizations menu to include anentry referencing user-supplied customization data.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 further comprising receiving the user-supplied customizationdata from a scanner engine of the multifunction peripheral.
 12. Themethod of claim 9 further comprising de-registering the customizationinterface.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising generating acompany personalization image on the display in accordance with userselection received user selection.
 14. The method of claim 13 whereinthe company personalization data includes logo data corresponding to abusiness type associated with the selected identified customizationgroup.
 15. A multifunction peripheral comprising: a document processingcontroller including, a processor, and a memory configured to store aplurality of identified electronic customization groups, eachcustomization group including a plurality of electronic customizationdocuments, and wherein each customization group corresponds to a uniquebusiness type, and store a plurality of device customization data sets,each data set corresponding to a document processing operation of themultifunction peripheral; a print engine operational by instructionsissued from the controller; a scanner engine operational by instructionsissued from the controller; a user input; and a display, wherein theprocessor is configured to generate indicia on the display identifyingeach of the plurality of customization groups by business type, whereinthe processor is further configured to receive user selection datareceived via the user input corresponding to a selected identifiedcustomization group selected from the indicia, wherein the processor isfurther configured to generate, on the display, a customizations menulisting available customizations from the selected identifiedcustomization group, wherein the memory is further configured to storeat least one user-supplied electronic customization with the selectedidentified customization group, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to update the customizations menu to include reference to theat least one user-supplied electronic customization, wherein theprocessor is further configured to generate, on the display, a documentprocessing options menu including document processing optionscorresponding to a portion of the device customization data constructionsets associated with the selected identified customization group,wherein the processor is further configured for generating a customizeddocument processing interface corresponding to a plurality of the devicecustomization data sets in accordance with received user selection, andwherein the processor is further configured to register the customizeddocument processing interface with the multifunctional peripheral as itsactive user interface.
 16. The multifunction peripheral of claim 15wherein the scanner engine is configured to generate the at least oneuser-supplied electronic customization from a scan of a tangibledocument.
 17. The multifunction peripheral of claim 15 wherein theprocessor is further configured to test registration of thecustomization interface and restore a backup user interface when thetest indicates an error condition.
 18. The multifunction peripheral ofclaim 17 wherein the processor is further configured to export datacorresponding to the selected identified customization group to at leasta second multifunction peripheral.
 19. The multifunction peripheral ofclaim 18 wherein the processor is further configured to selectivelyimplement a document security protocol for document processingoperations when indicated by the selected identified customizationgroup.
 20. The multifunction peripheral of claim 18 wherein the selectedidentified customization group corresponds to a medical profession andwherein the document security protocol includes HIPAA compliance.